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FAKRO has announced the award of a Passive House certificate for its quadruple-glazed FTT U8 Thermo roof window. This has by far the best U-value currently available in a standard roof window – just 0.58W/m2K.

Managing Director Noel Shanahan commented, “Fakro has developed a reputation for innovation over the past decade but Passive House certification is the clearest illustration yet of the development work which goes into our products. Achieving such certification provides clear value for architects designing airtight homes.”

The FTT U8 offers other benefits such as a raised pivot point, topSafe® anti-burglary protection, warm spacers to minimize risk of thermal bridging and an operating handle in the base of the sash.

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Installing the Mira Platinum Pumped Mixer in its guests’ bathrooms has enabled the Headlands Hotel – a four star hotel overlooking one of the UK’s top surfing beaches – to upgrade its showers to the highest standard with a minimum of disruption and cost. Overlooking Fistral Beach in Cornwall, the hotel is in a perfect position to admire the spectacular surf and scenery but, according to owner John Armstrong, the showering had posed a difficulty.

“We’ve been replacing the whole plumbing system in this 110 year old building over the past decade. In this time power showers have become ever more popular and our gravity fed showers had become a continual gripe from customers: they wanted more water. We were considering whether it was practicable to pressurise the whole system, but it seemed that was not a realistic option. Then our local Mira agent drew our attention to digital showers”.

“I didn’t know what he meant at first: “a digital shower”. But these Mira Platinum Digital showers are perfect. We have installed them in 16 rooms so far and the guests have been delighted. We’re also very surprised and pleased because this method of tackling the problem has proved cheaper than the more obvious traditional solution.”

The wireless digital shower enables the user to set their preferred temperature and flow and, because the controls are surface-mounted, it can be retrofitted quickly and simply onto existing tiling. Digital technology and careful design make the Platinum adaptable to local conditions. The wireless controller can be located up to 10 metres away from the shower valve while the pump can be installed where ever convenient within three metres – behind the bath panel, in this case.

“They were easy to fit and easy to set and the back up from Mira was first class too,” remarked Roger Cowl of the installers, County Heating Maintenance, who was so impressed he intends fitting one in his own bathroom.

The digital shower provides thermostatic temperature stability, so showering is safe for all the family, and has separate flow and push button temperature control as well as programmable functions including: Warm – Up mode, Clock display & Eco setting. An additional controller can also be fitted so that the shower can be operated from another room. Supplied without fittings in this case, the Mira Platinum comes as standard with a Mira 360 showerhead complete with Flipstream TechnologyTM – one flip action, four unique sprays.

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Micronics Ltd will be exhibiting their comprehensive range of “clamp-on” ultrasonic Liquid flow, Heat and Energy flow meters for industry and commerce including the NEW PF440 Portable “clamp-on” flow meter, which extends the scope of Micronics simple to operate PF330/220 portable range with a rugged enclosure, flow sensor guiderails suitable for external applications and increased logging capacity. Micronics full range of simple to install and accurate flow measurement solutions will be on show including:

A comprehensive range of Portable Transit time and Doppler instruments for clean or dirty, contaminated liquid flow measurement as you would expect from the leading UK manufacturer of portable “clamp-on” instruments. Micronics portables have always been regarded as the simplest to set-up and operate and this essential feature for portable instruments has been maintained throughout the range with great success.

A wide range of Fixed Transit time and Doppler “clamp-on” flow meters for Heat Meter and Liquid flow measurement including the unique U1000, factory preset, “clamp-on” alternative to traditional in-line Hot and Cold water meters. And the U4000 now established as Micronics’s “clamp-on” fixed meter solution for larger Building Services and Industrial applications incorporating the latest digital ultrasonic measurement technology to provide easier set-up and commissioning with enhanced accuracy and reliability in operation. Savings of up to 90% have been established for fixed meter installations in comparison to traditional in-line meter installations!

So if you need to know what's happening through investigation with a temporary, portable solution or need a permanent flow or heat measurement/metering solution a “clamp-on” alternative is a must consider option! And the first step is to visit Micronics at www.micronicsflowmeters.com or Nemex Stand F55.

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When Kent’s Elite Fire Safety Ltd (EFS) were faced with providing fire protection for Charlesville Mansions, a million pound apartment block in a charming red brick mansion within the sought-after conservation area of Barons Court near to Fulham and Kensington High Street, they knew that their selection of fire alarm was critical because damage to the Victorian fabric of the building caused by chasing out precious plasterwork to install wires and cables should be avoided. EFS had worked with Detectomat’s SRC 3000, a radio-linked, wireless solution system, in which each unit transmits data by radio frequency to a receiver before. They knew that it offered the considerable advantages of being wire free, which not only include avoiding damage to historic walls and ceilings but also cost. Because installation is so fast, labour charges are kept to a minimum and there is very little noise and disruption, another important factor in this sought after residential area.

Douglas and Gordon, an up market London estate agent, block and property Management Company, instructed EFS to install independent wireless fire alarms into each of the 5 separate entrances knowing that they would respect the nature and quality of the building.

EFS are based in Kent to provide fire protection for many types of businesses throughout Kent and London including offices, warehouses, schools, manufacturing plants, listed buildings, private residential, private commercial, retail, care homes, local authority premises, hotels and many others.

Sophia Scott, Douglas and Gordon’s Property Manager commented, “Elite Fire Safety carried out their works swiftly and kept disruption for the residents to a minimum. The Detectomat wireless system is much smaller and more discreet than others I have seen and does not detract from the look of the building, I would not hesitate in using Elite or Detectomat’s SRC 3000 again.”

Detectomat’s products offer ranges from design conscious detector covers for residential and commercial applications to conventional, addressable and leading edge wire-free systems, marketed under the company’s “Wireless detect” brand. For further information on Elite Fire Safety or Detectomat’s Wireless detect systems call 01579 321750 or email detectomat@leighandersonassociates.com

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The NHBC’s decision that vapour permeable underlays require supporting high level ventilation illustrated the extent to which condensation in the roofspace has become a problem. Roof ventilation specialist Klober’s ‘Condensation Risk Analysis’ service has therefore become a highly valuable resource as specifiers design ever more airtight buildings. The drive towards thermally efficient construction has made the need for balanced roof ventilation more important than ever as Klober Technical Manager Graham Copson commented “Demand for such information has grown with increased use of ‘non-ventilated’ systems and despite the NHBC ruling the need to assess potential condensation risk is no less critical. Heavy levels of vapour are being created in short periods after which homes are often left unheated for long periods. If ceilings are not adequately sealed moisture carried by warm air is certain to condense”.

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While capable of delivering 900 A continuously and 5,000 A for short periods, the new Ingvar primary current injection test set from Megger is readily portable, making it ideal for on-site use, even in applications such as underground substations where access would be difficult or impossible for larger test sets. The design has also been optimised to minimise in-rush current, thereby making Ingvar suitable for use on supply systems with limited capacity

• 2 parts each weighing less than 20 kg
• Great commissioning tool as it can deliver 500 A continuously and 5000 A for a short period
• Unique I/30 function to check test set up
• Full range of accessories

500 A from 2 units of less than 20 kg

Ingvar consists of a power module and a separate control module. The modules are housed in robust carrying cases, each of which weighs only around 20 kg. In addition to enhancing portability, this two-module arrangement also has the benefit of allowing the power module to be positioned close to the equipment under test, thereby reducing the length of test leads needed, while the control module is positioned for ease of access.

Typical applications include primary injection relay testing; circuit breaker testing up to 500 A nominal current and 5,000 A instantaneous current; checking phase, polarity and phase angle of current transformers; heat runs; testing grounding systems; and evaluating the performance of automatic reclosers and sectionalisers.

Unique I/30 function for setting up tests

The Ingvar test set is fast and easy to use. Interconnecting the control and power modules takes less than a minute, and the clearly marked control panel is divided into sections as an aid to rapid set up. Predefined settings are incorporated for commonly encountered applications, and any test can be repeated by pressing a single button. A unique I/30 function allows setting up to be carried out at greatly reduced current, thereby eliminating unwanted heating of the test sample, which can lead to erroneous results.

A large easy-to-read display is provided that shows current and time, with timing accuracy ensured by the use of automatic zero-crossing switching. The test set can also calculate and display other quantities, including current transformer turns ratio, impedance, resistance, power, power factor, and phase angle. Current and voltage can optionally be presented as percentages of the nominal value, and a second display channel is available to show an additional voltage or current.

Full range of accessories

A further aid to convenience and accuracy is the fast acting hold function that freezes readings on the display when a signal is received by the stop input, when the equipment under test interrupts the test current, or when current injection is stopped by other means.

Megger’s new Ingvar primary current injection test set is supplied complete with a 3 m cable to interconnect the power and control modules, a 2 m current cable and a 5 m grounding cable. Optional accessories available for use with Ingvar test sets include interconnection extension cables up to 10 m in length, high current probes for testing MCCBs in situ, a current transformer switchbox, and a range of multi-cable high-current test leads.

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FAKRO’s ‘Z-wave’ FTP-V and FTU-V Electro centre pivot roof windows utilise a wireless communication protocol based on a low-power radio frequency embedded or retrofitted into devices. The natural and white PU-coated pine windows can be used in conjunction with blinds and household appliances from over 200 manufacturers including those manufactured by Apple, Intel, Panasonic, Danfoss heating systems and GEC.

A range of single and multi-channel wall keyboards and programmable remote controls is available giving users scope to create their own systems with a virtually unlimited range, all from a single chip.

The ZWK1 single-channel keyboard controls either a window, external roller shutter awning blind or internal blind. The ZWG1 wireless touch keyboard offers similar characteristics but using a keypad in stylish toughened glass. Both have equivalent multi-channel options.

The ZWPTV is the ultimate multi-channel remote which can operate up to 36 receivers separately and many more in groups. It has a display screen which provides information about items in use and can also operate infra-red RTV devices.

The ZWMP weather module provides scope to automatically close windows if weather conditions change. Signals are detected by rain or wind sensors connected to the device.

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ELGA Process Water introduces fast water system monitoring tool.

ELGA Process Water has introduced a new monitoring tool to help in microbiological control of water systems. Bactiquant®-water is a simple to operate test system that gives a rapid indication of total viable bacteria count – a test which normally takes two or three days – in under an hour. This means that system performance can be monitored on a day-to-day basis, and any deviations from normal conditions can be detected early.

Bacteria from a measured sample volume of water are concentrated by a membrane filter. A fluorescent labelled enzyme substrate is added and the filter unit is incubated for 10-30 minutes allowing bacterial enzymes to react with the substrate to form a fluorescent product. The number of bacteria is estimated by measuring the amount of fluorescence using a hand held fluorometer. The signal produced is directly proportional to the amount of bacteria present, and scientific studies have documented good correlations between Bactiquant®-water and conventional plate counts and microscopic methods.

The Bactiquant®-water package includes sampling equipment, membrane filter, enzyme substrate and fluorometer. It also comes with its own FDA compatible database software which establishes a baseline for normal operation and, using Statistical Process Control based on ISO 11462-1, generates “normal”, “alarm” and “action level” signals. And, of course, ELGA Process Water provides full on-site operator training.

Bactiquant®-water puts water in your control rather than expending resources in detecting and correcting microbiological problems after they have occurred.

Visit www.shop.elgaprocesswater.co.uk for more information.

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The UK’s leading home appliance brand Beko plc, has announced Jamie Redknapp as its ambassador to help drive awareness of its exciting new status as an Official Supporter of The FA Cup.

Beko, Official Supporter of The FA Cup, is partnering with the ex-professional footballer and Sky Sports TV pundit for the remainder of the season. Father to two young sons, Jamie will drive awareness of the brand’s activity amongst its key target audience of busy mums and families, through national and women’s consumer media as well as the Beko Mums United Facebook page.

Matthew Jones, Senior Brand Marketing Manager at Beko plc, comments, “We’re thrilled to have Jamie on board and believe he will engage with our audience of mums whilst positioning us as a brand that understands the needs of families. Jamie is a well-known football personality and a great role model for children, but most importantly a father who can relate to family life and juggling a demanding work-life balance. Having Jamie on-board enhances our on-going communications activity including TV and helps bring the brand to life.”

Adds Jamie Redknapp: “I’m delighted to be an ambassador for Beko’s FA Cup activity. It’s a fantastic competition, steeped in history with a real focus on community. Beko are highlighting the importance of making it inclusive to families and I’m really excited to be involved.”

After becoming an Official Supporter of The FA Cup in September last year, Beko launched the first part of its sponsorship activation through a competition with leading schools newspaper, First News. Schools had the chance to win a visit from The FA Cup, Beko-branded football kits for their school team, a coaching session with an FA Legend and FA Cup Semi Final tickets.

Beko’s PR activity around The FA Cup competition is planned to reach across national, regional and consumer lifestyle media, a large network of blogging mums, as well as social media through Beko Mums United on Facebook.

The PR activity is just one part of Beko’s FA Cup sponsorship activity, with TV, retail activation, Facebook advertising and perimeter board messaging during FA Cup matches and in match day programmes throughout the competition.

www.beko.co.uk

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